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Salient. An Organ of Student Opinion at Victoria University College, Wellington N.Z. Vol. 21, No. 9. July 23, 1958
Exec
Exec
On July 2nd the new Executive met for the first time. All members attended, turned up on time and stayed the full course. If this indicates enthusiasm, it may serve to counter the charges of youth, inexperience and irresponsibility which have been floating around. In welcoming new members Mr. Wilson said that although the youthfulness of the new Executive had been criticised he personally thought that it was probably a good thing.
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Among the correspondence was a letter from Mr. Hercus communicating his resignation from the Men's Committee. The meeting proceeded to co-opt Mr. Shaw to the vacant position. Mr. Shaw later turned up and took his seat, so was able to be appointed to several posts. Mr. Wilson commented that "I think Mr. Shaw knows more about Student Association affairs than anyone.":
Correspondence:
Correspondence revealed a letter from the new Frothblowers Society, reporting their inaugural meeting and listing the required 20 members for affiliation. The Executive decided to consider affiliation when a draft constitution was received and to consider an interim grant when a proper statement of objects was received.
There was also a letter from the Training College Executive requesting a meeting to discuss mutual fee reductions. It was decided that July 27 be suggested to the Training College Executive as a suitable date.
Appointments:
In the allotment of posts Mr. Wilson explained the duties in each case. "If anyone is interested in any post," he said, "it is up to you to let us know."
Mr. Wilson said he had studied the constitution and considered he was allowed to delegate the Chairmanship of the Publications Committee to Mr. Hercus.
- Student Hostel Representative: Mr. Mitchell.
- Public Relations Officer: Mr. Mitchell.
- Records Officer: Mr. Jamieson.
- Travel and Exchange Officer: Miss Pointon.
- Student Health Officer: Miss Jenks.
- Board and Accommodation Officer: Miss Thompson.
- Student Employment Officer: Miss Beck.
- Cafeteria Liaison Officer: Mr. Wilson.
- Co-editor Orientation Handbook: Miss Thompson.
- Assistant Hon. Secretary: This appointment was held over.
- Blues Committee Representative: Mr. Plimmer.
- Finance Committee Representatives: Messrs. Shaw and Davy.
- Publications Committee: Miss Thompson.
- Convenor Social Committee: Miss Beck.
- Student Union Building Planning Committee: Messrs. Shaw and Wilson.
- Chairman House Committee: Mr. Plimmer.
- Extrav. Organiser: Mr. Mitchell.
- Extrav. Representative: Miss Beck.
- Cappicade Organiser: Mr Hercus
Recommendations From A.G.M.:
(1) It was passed by the meeting that Mr. Wilson should discuss the points mentioned in the recommendation regarding the Cafeteria with Miss Rosie. During the discussion it was staled that any concessions would be paid for by the Stud. Ass. and not by the management. Why? Three Exec. members slated that they had had the unusual experience of receiving two blobs of potato with their dinners.
(2) The Secretary was instructed to write to the Registrar requesting him to place before the Professorial Board the recommendations of the A.G.M. relating to the censorship of "Salient".
Recommendations From Previous Executive:
On the subject of Orientation Week several recommendations of the old Executive were discussed and adopted. Firstly, it was decided that the Executive should set up a special sub-committee to consist of two Executive members together with the Chairman of the Social Committee. Secondly, it was decided that all money to cover the Orientation activities should be applied and accounted for by one person, being either the Orientation Week Controller or the Chairman of the Social Committee. Thirdly, Mr. O'Brien was requested to make enquiries at the other Universities and bring down a report on Student Councillors.
N.Z.U.S.A.:
- Res. Exec. Representative: Mr. Shaw.
- N.Z.U.S.A. Corresponding Representative: Mr. Davy.
- Delegates to N.Z.U.S.A. Winter Council: Messrs. Wilson, Shaw, Hercus.
General:
The most disturbing item to be dealt with was the question of theft in the Women's Cloakroom. The Executive were reluctant to call in the police and decided that the best course they could adopt was to give adequate publicity to the matter.
The question of the pedestrian crossing at the junction of Salamanca Road and the Terrace was discussed. Mr. O'Brien was requested to write to the Traffic Superintendent about the matter.
D.L. and T.J.K.
Exec made last amendments to the regulations of the newly-formed Victoria University of Wellington Sports Council, which is to promote, control and co-ordinate the affairs of the University's twenty-five-odd sports clubs, It will conduct relations with outside sporting groups and arbitrate disputes between clubs. It will recommend the size of club grants and the granting of blues. It's first big job is to stage the coming Tournament.
There will be two voting delegates from each club. Administration of Council business is to be vested in a Sports Committee of not more than seven or less than four members. The formation of the Council foreshadows a New Zealand University Sports Council to promote varsity sport on a national scale.
It is also pretty sure to lead to the formation of an Arts Council among Victoria's right or so cultural clubs, not only to organise the coming (August '59) Arts Festival, but to make sure their grants compare reasonably with those of the united sports clubs.
Bed, Breakfast and Garret
The item on the agenda read "Hostel Accommodation", but David Wilson's somewhat ruthless chairmanship didn't stop them from discussing the caf., bursaries, staff-student ratios and sweated labour in the vacations.
"The money," rasped David Davy, "is available if anybody wants to earn it." As Brian Shaw would have said if he had been there, it's a view.
When accommodation cropped up, there was some hopeful talk of blocks of bed-and-breakfast hostels on the other side of the Parade. It was reckoned that they would be "better" than full hostels. This may be so, for our student board problem is the most urgent in the country, but bed-and-breakfast hostels will make Victoria just so much more a part-time university.
It was agreed that the first hostels should be for women, to bring their facilities into line with those for men. Whether the Exec has taken into account the fact that there are more full-time men students than women I don't know.
Elizabeth Beck proposed a survey of student boarding conditions along the lines: Who is boarding, who flatting and who living at home.
John Hercus went further, suggesting questionnaires for high school pupils planning to come up to University.
There was a suggestion that the Association take steps to ensure that student flats don't revert to what you might call normal use, especially in the Kelburn area. No one took much notice—no one had thought about the working details of such a scheme. But it does have merit.
It would be well worth while to form a subcommittee with powers to negotiate with landlords either to suggest "approved" students as tenents or to rent and sublet flats to Association members. This is not such a fantastic idea as it sounds. Provided such students are responsible, are subject to inspection by an officer of the Association, and have sufficient money, there should be no snags. Accommodation must be found for 2,000 new students in the next eight years.
Already a few hundred of our students are literally commuters. Why should there not be a concerted public relations venture at making a "student quarter" of Kelburn? There is hardly one house within sight of the University that could not comfortably house four or five students.
On the other hand, Peter O'Brien was disturbed by certain aspects of student flatting. He had the feeling that schoolmates might get together and exclude all but Old Pupils from their flats. ". . . sort of Woodford forever. I put this forward," said Mr. O'Brien hurriedly, "seriously." Hm.
Lost Causes, Etc.
The Frothblower's Club has had its application for affiliation held over till it can find a name more in keeping with the dignity of the Association ... the recommendations about the Caf. made at the A.G.M. have not yet been discussed with Miss Rosie ... the Chancellor of the University of New Zealand has asked for one (1) copy of Cappicade . . . Exec continues to go into Committee to discuss the Association Representative's letter, thus making it quite impossible for the Exec correspondent to report properly on subjects raised there, even a couple of weeks or months afterward. Not all people on "Salient" staff are indiscreet.
J. Gamby.